VIII - 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤

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"THIS IS USELESS," Jeremy Gilbert groaned.

"All these grimoires. There has to be something in here to keep Elena from becoming a vampire," He continued, frantically flipping through the pages.

"And we'll keep looking," Bonnie swore, "Until the last minute."

Suddenly, Jeremy jerked his head to Bonnie, quickly, as if possessed. "Bonnie Bennet," He whispered, eyes unfocused.

Bonnie didn't look up, "Quit playing, Jer. We have a deadline."

"Bonnie Bennet," He said again.

Finally she glanced up, thoroughly exasperated, "I might just-"

When she saw the dazed look in his eyes, Bonnie's heart pummeled to the ground.

"Who's there?"

The candles in the room flickered ever so slightly in response. The Bennet carefully crawled towards Jeremy and stared straight into eyes, she realized, that weren't his own.

"Emily?" She posed, watching as the flames swayed as if by a breeze was blowing. She jerked her head from side to side. No open windows.

Weird.

Jeremy smiled and chuckled, "I'm afraid not, child."

Bonnie recoiled when Jeremy reached for her shoulder. When their skin made contact all she could feel was horrific and vile death.

"Remember me?" The supernatural entity questioned.

With a slight squeeze of her shoulder from the posses Jeremy Gilbert, Bonnie was propelled back into a vision she once had.

The sky thundered but roared silently, grey on navy and white lightning. The great expanse of empty land consisted of withered plants and grass so crunchy Bonnie could step on and snap.

However, the last thing she saw was the two headstones. They stood tall and dark, one with the dreaded Niklaus Mikalesons' name and the other with no inscription save for the signature bouquet of blue roses.

"Lilura Anthemoessa," Bonnie breathed in realization.

Jeremy nodded, "Yes. She was a fine creature."

Bonnie's gaze found Jeremy's.

"So much wasted potential," He spat. "I made her, did you know?"

Bonnie shook her head at the choice of words. "You're a witch," She stated when Jeremy's inhabitant laughed dryly.

"Yes, child. A witch, and I made the mistake of believing Lilura Anthemoessa's lies."

"Her lies?"

"Oh that woman is a viper's true dream - an oasis for the rich and damned, a breath of fresh air for the poor and content. She's a mirage of decite. She's a statue worthy of devotion. She's a hurricane of power and strife," The witch growled. "You couldn't have chosen a better person to accompany Klaus."

"Enough," The witch sighed. "I didn't bring you here to drone on about the siren."

Bonnie's mind flew 100 miles an hour, "Then why did you bring me here?"

Jeremy/the witch pointed to the headstones, "I'm giving you a clue, Bonnie Bennet."

Suddenly, a figure in all black appeared from behind, face shielded by the hood of his cloak.

"Is that... the Grim Reaper?" Bonnie half - giggled.

The witch was not amused, "Are you fuc-"

Bonnie wasn't listening in the slightest. The witch's complaints echoed in the far distance as she focused on the man.

Mentally, Bonnie took note of his physique. Tall, not an inch under 6 feet 4, and slim. Walked with a limp on his right side. Had a pretty hot back.

"Jesus Christ," The witch in Jeremy's body cried. "Not you too."

"What?"

"Stop looking at his back and look at what he's doing."

Bonnie did as told, though she bit back a smile. It almost sounded like Jeremy and not the witch currently inhabiting his body.

Playfulness aside, the man bent down next to both of the graves and clasped his hands together as if praying. He raised his head to the thundering sky, and as he did so, his hood fell off and Bonnie could finally see something of the mysterious figure.

Midnight black hair that looked like it usually fell in his face, but Bonnie wasn't certain. His features were still completely nothing thanks to the clashes of shadow and light.

"Who is he?" Bonnie heard herself ask.

The witch too was enraptured by his practice. "A weapon against the King and the Queen."

Suddenly Bonnie felt the world around her spin and squeeze.

Oh no

"No, I don't know how to find him! Or who he is!" Bonnie insisted as the headstones and the man slowly faded.

The brunette girl could see the outline of candles, and with a sinking heart she knew she would have to part from the vision.

But before it was all gone, the man had turned around to Bonnie as if he could see her too.

And then brilliant green eyes coaxed her to sleep.

---- Δ ----

Lilura could practically feel Klaus' smirk.

"Stop it," She grumbled crossly. "Just stop it."

"I haven't done anything!" Klaus chuckled from his seat, closing his book shut.

Lilura hopped up from the bed and flung the curtains open, "You were about to, and that's enough for me." Turning around she frowned, "Must you always stare?"

Klaus cocked his head to the side, gaze never faltering, "Old habits die hard, I suppose."

"Lavish, isn't it?" Lilura hummed and tied a robe around her minion pyjamas tightly.

The enchantress was talking about the motel Klaus had rented since staying at Alaric's was no longer an option. The house was a walking vampire party. It simply was unsafe.

Also, Lilura may or may not had broken Saltz's microwave in the heat of the moment. She had yet to break the news to the history teacher.

"You'll live," Klaus muttered.

"Why Saltz of all people?" Lilura broached hesitantly. "Why did you choose him?"

Klaus' demeanor sumersalted.

"I like the poetry of Alaric Saltzman," He bit his lip. "He was also someone you adored."

"Still adore," Lilura interuppted. "He's not on my blacklist yet."

"Precisely," Klaus said. "I had been watching you before the history teacher, you know."

Lilura halted in her steps, hands on the bathroom door in bewilderment, "You were?"

"How else would I have known you were alive?"

Lilura shook her head, "I would have known it was you."

"Would you?" Klaus chuckled darkly. "Tall, blonde, green eyes? Marcel from the Mystic Grill?"

Lilura held back her epiphany. "I knew you'd catch up, darling!" She cooed.

"What?"

"Marcel from the Mystic Grill, of course I knew he was you!" Then almost sheepishly, the Siren grinned, "Could you pass me the champagne? I need to be at the very least tipsy before our next piece of business."

---- Δ ----

"I've got the moonstone. I spent 500 years looking for this. I hate to part with it."

"Diva," Lilura crossed her arms. "Just hand the damn rock over."

Greta hid a smile, "The moon has passed its apex. Remember everything you need to do?"

He looked at Lilura, "I remember."

The moonstone many supernaturals had sacrificed their life finding was destroyed by the flames of the stone bowl under 20 seconds. Greta started chanting in Latin, and the flames rose with every intake of breath.

Lilura's eyes widened when they landed on Jenna Sommers, Saltz's girlfriend.

She whipped her head to an already smirking Klaus.

"What?" He said. "I also like the poetry of Jenna Sommers."

Lilura held back a heavy sigh of disappointment.

Klaus began strolling to the three prisoners in the circle.

"Everything I did...I was just trying to help Tyler," The werewolf said.

"Are you Jules?" Elena shouted over the roar of the fire.

"Yes, but she's I'm-going-to-be-dead-soon Jules," Lilura said cheerfully.

"I didn't want him to be alone!" The wolf girl howled.

Klaus stepped into Jule's ring of fire, "Shall we?"

Like Lilura anticipated Jules did not take Niklaus' polite invitation. The werewolf lunged straight for Klaus' neck, but the original was ready. Without a moment of hesitation, Klaus plunged his hands into Jule's chest.

"Ooh," He grinned widely, looking at Lilura, "Guess she had heart problems."

Lilura bit her lip to hold back chuckle. Perhaps she was sick, but Klaus Mikaleson with his hands covered in blood and smirk as wide as a river's really was something.

He looked adorable.

"Could be heart disease. You never know with carnivores," She replied. "When you become a wolf I really hope you don't eat my leg."

"Think fast," He called, swiftly catapulting the wet heart into Lilura's hand.

"Klaus!" She shrieked. "I'm wearing white!"

"If you can get period blood off the sheets, then you can hold the heart," He said, wiping his hands on his jeans.

Lilura sneered at Jules' heart, "Does that mean it's working?"

Greta glanced at the sky, "It's working."

Lilura stretched and sat on a rock, waiting for the shïtstorm to begin.

———— Δ ————

Bonnie gasped awake.

"Jeremy!" She whispered frantically, groping blindly for the boy who was on the floor as well.

"Ugh," He groaned. "What the hell?"

The caramel eyed witch slowly regained her bearings. Once she noticed that the basement's main source of illumination had been depleted, she re-lit every single candle.

"You okay?" She murmured, helping a confused Jeremy.

"What happened? I feel like someone just sucked my soul out."

Bonnie giggled. "You'll be fine."

Suddenly, her eyes fell on an open journal. Hesitantly, Bonnie reached for it. She had seen the weathered brown spine before, but at the moment, it called to her.

It was special.

It was their answer.

"Jer," She breathed.

"Huh?"

"Look at this," She shuffled closer to him.

Freshly written in blue ink was:

Draconi qui est cantus cessare faciam.

"A spell?" The boy inquired. "For what?"

I'm giving you a clue, Bonnie Bennet.

The witch's eyes widened, "A spell to bring down Klaus."

"I guess we're set," Jeremy stated, prompting a questioning arch of the eyebrow from Bonnie.

"Because this other spell," He pointed to another journal, which had conveniently lay open. "Can probably save my sister's life."

———— Δ ————

"Jenna's innocent, Nik."

"Potato, po-ta-toe, my starlight. No one is properly innocent."

Lilura frowned, adamant, "She's human, or at least, she used to be."

His blue eyes darkened like the stormy sky. "I don't have time for your sentient."

Prowling forward to the the rings of fire, Klaus smirked, "Hello, Jenna."

"Let her go. I understand that I have to die, but she doesn't!" Elena insisted, hands shaking as her sides.

Klaus paid her no mind, even when the doppelganger attempted to walk through the fire.

"Careful," Lilura called.

"Careful," He sung at the same time.

Jenna breathed deeply, eyes ricocheting back and forth, "Elena, don't."

"No, Jenna! We can't leave Jeremy without a family." She rounded on Klaus. "I followed your rules; I did everything that you asked. I didn't run. Please."

Lilura took her chin off the palm of her hand once she heard familiar footsteps.

"Oh look, guests." Her eyes were on the youngest Salvatore, narrowing when she realized what he was about to do.

Klaus faced Stefan, "Well, well. I don't remember inviting you."

"Come to join the party?" Lilura giggled, sending Stefan a wave.

Stone cold the blond vampire declared, "I'm here to talk."

Klaus shrugged, "Very well, then."

To Lilura he winked, "Watch the kids for me, love?"

He took one last look at Elena and Jenna before speeding away in a blur of cologne and wild blue eyes.

Up on the top of the Quarry, Lilura heard Klaus question, "What can I do for you, Mr. Salvatore?"

"You don't need to kill Jenna. I'll take her place."

Lilura nodded, reluctantly impressed by Stefan's unavoidable nobility. He was probably compensating for something, she thought. Maybe for having small nipples.

"Oh, I don't know. I rather appreciate the symmetry of three women. Three goddesses-- Sacrificed at nature's altar."

"Don't play games with me. You'll get what you want either way," Stefan growled.

"You're quite the hero, aren't you? I've heard that about you," Klaus smirked widely, stopping his leisurely pace.

"Just make the trade. Me for Jenna."

Lilura couldn't help but gasp. It seemed she wasn't going to loose the two hundred barrels of her precious wine after all.

Klaus whipped around and stalked down the quarry. "Quite the predicament. You know, it's funny, all this talk about preserving family, and here's Stefan, granting your wish. Mine, however...I suppose you'd like the barrels in your bedroom, Li?"

Lilura cackled madly. "I knew I'd win! "

"It's not my fault the Salvatore's both have death wishes," The original grumbled. "Well!" Klaus chirped, using his stake to gesture between Jenna and Stefan, "Who's it going to be, Elena?"

"No."

"Oh my god," Lilura facepalmed. "Here we go."

"Oh, don't worry. There's actually no choice."

And then Stefan was stabbed clean through the back.

"No! Stefan! No!"

"Damn," Lilura whistled.

Klaus ripped the stake out of Stefan's back, however, not before leaving a sizeable chunk inside.

"I have other plans for your boyfriend. I want him alive. But for now..." He quickly snapped Stefan's neck.

"Whenever you're ready, Greta."

With a resolute nod, Greta began chanting and raising her arms. The fire ring around Jenna disappeared.

"No," Elena whispered, horrified.

"Your turn!" Klaus grinned.

"No, Jenna, no!" The flames rose in response to Elena trying to save Jenna.

Lilura watched sympathetically. She could not help but get teary eyed as well. No matter how hypocritical and stubborn Elena Gilbert was, she was still going to lose a parental figure tonight.

"It's alright, Elena," Jenna smiled through her tears. "I know what I have to do."

After a second of silence shared between the two Gilbert's, Jenna Sommers surprised Lilura and Klaus Mikaelson one last time.

She sped to Greta with her newly acquired swiftness and ferociously bit the witch. Lilura was almost remorseful.

Jenna Sommers would have made a good vampire.

Klaus, fed up, rushed over to the two and staked Jenna.

Crying and groaning and moaning, Jenna and Elena stared at each other in farewell.

"Just turn it off. Jenna," Elena managed. "Turn it off. You won't be scared anymore."

Klaus niftily flipped the woman over and staked her heart.

Inhale, exhale.

And then there were three in the Quarry.

Lilura stood from her spot and sidestepped the corpse. She made a mental note to visit the Gilbert if she ever had the chance. Bravery like that should be remembered, even if it was invoked by a manipulative force. Lilura shivered as she realized that Klaus was the so-called manipulative force. The Siren had always known Klaus would do anything to unlock his werewolf side. He would crawl down to hell if it meant he was the biggest and baddest hybrid around.

Greta resumed the chanting, neck still profusely bleeding. Klaus caught Lilura's wide eyes and sent her a reassuring nod.

The Siren felt somber. The night seemed like it would never end, and truthfully the pile of corpses made her head heart ache. She never liked violence but being associated with the Original family, who were notorious for their murders, Lilura learned to stomach the violence. Sometimes, she even liked it.

Twisted, I know. Her consciousness commented dryly.

With shaking hands, Greta poured the bowl full of Jenna's blood into the mixture.

"Nik?" Lilura said, realizing her voice was shaking. "Go easy on her, please."

He stood beside her, shoulders touching, fingers brushing. His crude blue eyes bore into hers. "Centuries ago, I would have done anything for you."

"And now?"

"The spectrum decreases ever so slightly."

The original made his way to Elena Gilbert. "It's time."

Lilura pinched her nose and swallowed back the bitterness.

"Thank you, Elena," Klaus smirked.

Hard does eyes stared back at him, "Go to hell."

Lilura watched in sick fascination as the doppelganger's life slowly and gradually dimmed, like a candle's wick about to burn out.

She fluttered her eyelids one last time before stilling completely.

Klaus stumbled in drunken glory and fatigue. "Li," He said, collapsing onto the siren, "I can feel it. It's happening."

"Um ok," Lilura answered, unsure of what to do.

It came like a tsunami— the next step she meant.

The moonlight shined on the original, and then Niklaus metamorphosized into an entirely foreign creature.

Despite the pain from bones breaking and rebreaking, he smiled triumphantly and roared, "Yes! Yes!"

For Lilura, it started as a mild pin prick, and then just as quickly, it turned into a blood bath. Lilura fell to the ground, groaning at the harsh impact.

Someone ran to the clearing. The trees shook by mystical powers and the fires roared battlecries.

Through blurry sight, she saw Klaus thrown into the air. She saw the flames in the bowl reignite and Greta's bewilderment.

The pain in her back never ceased. It clawed strangely, like there were bears mauling her spine. Lilura's head spun and she wondered briefly if the world was coming to an end.

She also wondered what the bloody hell was going on.

Shortly, as if by the gods, her answer came in the form of a certain Bennet with a penchant for saving Petrova doppelgangers.

"Phasmatos Infero Eseri Gratas, Disasustos Vom, Mas Pro Je Ta Sue Te. Victamas Veras. Phasmatos Tribum, Niha Sue Exilum, Disasustos Vom, Mas Pro Je Ta Sue Te. Levam, Mina Sue Te, Disasustos Vom, Mas Pro Je Ta Sue Te. Phasmatos Veras. Fes Matos Tribum, Mas Pro Tes Unum. Victas Ex Melam, Phasmatos Vanem. Mas Pro Je Ta Sue Te!" Bonnie repeated, staring at Klaus with such a hatred Lilura wanted to curl into a ball.

Then the sentence that inevitably and undoubtedly changed Lilura Anthemoessa forever : "Draconi qui est cantus cessare faciam."

Klaus watched in utter horror as Lilura screamed and thrashed. Suddenly, her beautiful tan skin broke. It cracked apart as green scales and rough skin protruded from her back, blood escaping from the cracks in which real skin met with the monstrous scales. Klaus reached out and held her hand. It too morphed into rough scaly skin.

"Lilura!"

She opened her eyes for a brief second, eyes unseeing. The Original Hybrid flinched when her pupilles eyes stared back at him. The blue-green shade he loved dearly was gone. She started to shake uncontrollably, golden liquid escaping from her eyes. It stuck to Klaus fingers as he tried to wipe her face of the goo.

He lifted one hand and sniffed.

Blood. Siren blood.

"Lilura," He whispered. The ritual was long forgotten for Niklaus Mikaelson. Now all that mattered was Lilura's safety. Despite his bones cracking and transforming to match that of a wolf's, Klaus held the Siren. He held her so tight that the golden blood that seeped from her irises soaked his shirt.

"You were dead!" Klaus spluttered, rocking Lilura's head back and forth. He felt for a pulse. Nothing.

Bonnie Bennett stood to the side, horrified.

"What did you do?"

Bonnie looked at Elena, who lay dead on the ground.  This was for her friends. Bonnie would finish this, even if it meant Lilura died. She had to. For the sake of her family. Bonnie closed her eyes and blocked out Lilura's screams. She chanted, causing Klaus to double over in pain and fall down.

Lilura snapped her eyes open and caught sight of Klaus motionless on the grass. With the haze of the wretched spell and the pain now in her back, her torso, and her everywhere — the siren slipped in a state of comatose delusion.

A delighted giggle. "Mr. Mikaelson! What a surprise."

The night was warm and so was 17 year old Lilura's cheeks. They practically bloomed with pink roses and red carnations at the sight of mysterious and galant Niklaus Mikaelson's carnivorous smirk.

"Good evening, Miss. Anthemoessa," He greeted.

"You like to look at the stars too?" She asked, returning to the sky in a dainty manner.

"The stars in heaven?" He echoed, coming to a stop beside Lilura. "I'd much rather watch the humans."

She quickly turned to the man in adamant refusal, but he had already been staring at her in great admiration, which left the young girl speechless.

And then comfortable silence enveloped the two.

The immortals heard a familiar pair of footsteps.

"No," Klaus groaned.

"It couldn't be," Lilura finished.

The shiny loafers came to a stop.

"Elijah?"

An adjust of the suit's cufflink : "Hello, brother."

Then Klaus was lifted off the ground and thrown yards away, leaving Lilura in the shadow of Elijah Mikaelson. The noble original sucked in a breath, hiding his alarm at seeing his sister-in-law and friend turned into a ugly creature with scales and white eyes. He must not show where his loyalties lied to the Mystic Falls scooby doo gang. He wouldn't let them use Lilura Anthemoessa against him.

"Lilu," He sighed, "Must you always get yourself into these messes?"

Then, eyes alight with the fire surrounding then all, Elijah strode to his little brother, "In the name of our family, Niklaus..."

He plunged his hands clean through Klaus' chest and began to twist.

"I didn't bury them at sea!" Klaus managed breathlessly.

The noble original halted immediately, "What?"

In Lilura's semi-conscious mind she registered what Klaus said.

The others were alive?

"Their bodies are safe. If you kill me, you'll never find them."

"Elijah! Don't listen to him," Someone yelled desperately.

However, Lilura already knew the next subsequential step. Klaus Mikaleson had done it again, had masterfully weaseled his way out of death.

From the look in his blue eyes, he knew it too.

"Elijah. I can take you to them. I give you my word...brother."

"Do it and I'll take you all out, including Lilura," The Bennet witch threatened. The enchantress could detect the solid conviction in her tight tone.

"You'll die," Elijah said.

"I don't care."

Silence. The moment of truth.

"I'm sorry."

And then Lilura's consciousness finally decided to sleep.

🌟 tysm for 14k! Guys that's crazy!!!!  Anyway I'm vry sorry if this chapter is not as great, I just didn't know how to fit Lilura into the sacrifice. (it's sub-par at best). However, I promise the next chapters will be more fun.

I look forward to introducing the rest of the Mikaelsons.

And maybe the other Mikaleson we've never heard of.

Until then!

(Feel free to give constructive criticism or comment! )